Rank: Forum user 
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Hi,
I need some advice. I work in South Africa. South African Health and Safety Law closely follows English law. We have a Scaffolding Standard, that require the hand over of a SAFE scaffold to the user. This will be tagged Green and dated, and checked every 7 days or after inclement weather.
The problem i am having is that some scaffolds are handed over in a state that requires the use of a safety harness due to pipes etc running through the boards etc.
In terms of our standard no mention is made of attaching the harness to the scaffols structure, therefore not a anchor point.
Do you have the same problem, if not how would one deal with this
Regards
Shane
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Rank: Forum user 
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Shane, The UK Guidance is covered by the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation's (NASC) SG4:05. The newer version SG4:10 is due very soon. Check out http://www.nasc.org.uk for more info. Also bear in mind that although harnesses are seen as an essential/mandatory part of a scaffolders PPE they should only be used as a last resort in the absence of collective preventative measures, i.e. handrails. The new SG4:10 will make this more explicit. Neil B
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Niel,
Thanks for the advice. I failed to mention that it is not the scaffolders that i am worried about, as they use the PPE, it is that the scaffold is handed over to the user with a tag that requires the user to use a harness. In other words an "incomplete" or "Unsafe" scaffold is handed over for use. The users then tie off on the handrails etc. The handrails then become the anchor point?
Thanks a million.
I will definitely visit NASC.
Regards
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Rank: Super forum user
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Not all scaffolds are 'standard' scaffolds e.g. Bricklaying in an open site etc as scaffold around a high pressure main steam pipe below a steam turbine, parts of a 'cracker' in a refinery, or scaffold inside a power stations boilers & similar areas requires differing standards/designs etc and because of the very nature of the work situation they may have to have holes in the boards/shapes etc that would be unacceptable in a 'normal' situation so workers sometimes will have to work differently e.g. They may have to wear harnesses [or balance whilst they work as we did in the 'old' days!]
Depending on your situation U may have to either use the structure that is already there that the scaffold is against/inside/around etc to anchor from or create your own anchors
Again the risk assessment will give U all the answers and in some situations the 'standard' BSEN guidance may not allow the work to be completed in specialiast work environments
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Rank: Forum user
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I also worked in the petrochemical industry where their are pipes etc that protruded thru the scaffolding or you built a habitat around a pipe to ensure the Asbestos did not enter the atmosphere when the lagging was removed.
Not once was a scaffolding handed over with the intention of a person wearing a safety harness.
We used scaffolding boards & a saw to ensure the gaps were within the regs & also 18mm plywood to cover even the smaller gaps.
As stated a safety harness should be a last resort.
as for hooking onto the existing scaffolding, if the person was to fall and the scaffolding is not to industry standard then the Double coupler which takes 6.3Kn downforce may not be tight (I wouldn't want to take the chance if they are handing over a working platform to which you can fall off)
Also any anchorage point should have been tested & certified to ensure it can withstand the load if a person or persons were to fall, inc a design drawing to show what weight the scaffold can take i.e. wind, falling against etc.
I would recommend you sit down with the scaffold contractor & look at ensuring the work platform is complete.
If you require any further assistance PM me or if you require some decent scaffold's
Hope all your staff go home safe at the end of each day
Mr H&S
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks Mr H&S
You have provided me with good info and direction. I have been sitting down with our scaffolders and made some progress. I am please that you mentioned the anchor points as it has been a concern of mine.
Shane
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Rank: Super forum user
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In 1 area I work we erect scaffold underwater and no BSEN standard [that I know of] covers that!
So again listen to what has been said and where poss only use harnesses as a last resort noting that U may have to undertake some works where the situation is not normal and risk assessment is your key
If U end up in court and your employee was not hurt because of the harness U might be cautioned etc for not complying with one or another of the various standards but U will be recognized for saving your employees life!
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